Canadian coach banned, team docked six points by FIFA after spying scandal at Paris Olympics

Canada’s Olympic football hopes are all but over following tough penalties from FIFA for spying on their opponents with a drone.

The Canadian women’s football team’s dreams of a repeat gold medal is in turmoil after FIFA handed down tough sanctions in the wake of a spying scandal.

Canada were found to have used a drone to spy on their Olympic rivals New Zealand on two separate occasions at the tournament.

The national team acted swiftly removing the responsible analyst Joseph Lombardi and assistant coach Jasmine Mander from the team.

Coach Bev Priestman opted to remove her self from the hot seat for their opening match against New Zealand which Canada went on to win 2-1.

It was then announced that Priestman would be sent home and take no further part in the competition.

FIFA have finished its investigations and handed Priestman, Lombardi and Mander 12-month bans.

Canada’s head coach Bev Priestman has been sent home. Picture: Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images/AFP

Canada’s football federation was also fined $348,000 (AUD).

But the most devastating punishment is the six point deduction from Canada’s Olympic campaign.

It means Canada go into their second group game clash with host nation France on minus three competition points.

After their first win they had been equal on top of the group with France.

In order to progress out of the group Canada will need to beat France and Colombia and hope other results go their way.

FIFA said the Canadian Soccer Association had been found responsible of “failing to respect the applicable FIFA regulations” as well as disobeying the prohibition on flying drones over Olympic training sites.

“The officials were each found responsible for offensive behaviour and violation of the principles of fair play in connection with the CSA’s women’s representative team’s drones usage in the scope of the OFT,” the statement read.

“FIFA said the decision remains subject to a potential appeal before the court of arbitration for sport, which could happen at a special fast-track hearing during the ongoing Olympic Games.”

There has been no allegations the players were aware drone footage was being used. Several Canadian players took to social media to say they had never been shown or heard the use of drone footage being discussed.

Canada are due to play France on Monday morning.

Originally published as Canadian coach banned, team docked six points by FIFA after spying scandal at Paris Olympics